(Image: Will Cheshire)
Andre Griffiths has described Cambrian’s shock semi-final win over The New Saints as unbelievable as he highlighted the impact it will have on Rhondda football.
Griffiths netted in extra time to claim a FOURTH Welsh Premier League scalp as they beat current holders The New Saints at their M&P Group home.
The victory means that they will now play in their first ever Nathaniel MG Cup final.
Match-winner Griffiths said: “It’s unbelievable for us and the club especially with the group we’ve got all that we’ve worked for, just local lads and never think anything’s going to happen. Especially TNS being a full-time club, we train once a week a bigger team of their stature.
”It’s a big night for Rhondda football and the community, it’ll do massive for us. The club is just going to get bigger and bigger and wins like that.”
Griffiths came off the bench to net the winner, having replaced the injured Cameron Keetch.
The summer recruit is the brother of Akeem Griffiths, who this year appeared on the final series of Big Brother. Brother Akeem was a finalist in the Big Brother final, meaning that two Griffiths’ have reached a final in the same year.
Asked on who is now the higher-profile brother in the Rhondda, the former Lido player claimed it was him.
“I think it’s me after this goal. I’m going to tell him now actually. I will get some stick!” joked Griffiths after he spoke after the game.
The goal came in fortuitous fashion as Cambrian used up all their luck to claim the victory. Sam Jones powerful shot was deflected in the path of Griffiths and he stabbed it home from close range to give his side another scalp.
He put praise on to manager Dane Williams and 20-year-old captain David Thomas as Cambrian continued their commitment to providing first-team opportunities to academy products.
Having come on as a substitute and not expecting to come on as such, it’s folded out quite nicely for the match-winner.
“I think it came off my shin, I wasn’t really looking. With me being right back, I thought I’ll only go on if someone gets injured.”
Most of these boys have been through the academy, he’s always stuck to local boys so we bond better and you can see that on and off the field It means the world to him.”
(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)
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